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ADVANCED STRUCTURES & COMPOSITES CENTER
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The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) is a world-leading, interdisciplinary center for research, education, and economic development encompassing material sciences, advanced manufacturing, and engineering of composites and structures. Since its founding in 1996 with support from the National Science Foundation, the ASCC has financially sponsored more than 2,600 students, received 120 patents, welcomed over 30,000 visitors, created 14 spinoff companies, and honored with more than 40 national and international awards for research excellence.
RESEARCH AREAS
The Matthew R. Simmons Windstorm Challenge prepares Maine’s next generation of innovators, engineers, and clean energy leaders. Our annual event invites middle and high school students to design and build floating platforms for scale model wind turbines. The competition encourages participation from students with diverse interests and experience.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
TIDC
The Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center focus is on developing innovative, sustainable, next-generation solutions to improve the durability and extend the lifespan of existing and new transportation assets in New England and beyond.
SM²ART
The Hub & Spoke Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Alliance for Renewable Technologies (SM²ART): Connecting two world-class research facilities and redefining how national laboratories and universities connect with industry.
Scaling Manufacturing
Empowering manufacturers to reach new markets with lightweight, anti-corrosive, and infinitely shapeable parts through continuous production of long-fiber thermoplastic composite.
Culvert Diffuser
ASCC’s work focuses on implementing green infrastructure solutions, utilizing bio-based materials and sustainable manufacturing processes like advanced manufacturing for culvert diffusers, composite sheet piling and novel breakwater solutions.
BioHome 3D
Designed to address labor shortages and supply chain issues that are driving high costs and constricting the supply of affordable housing. Printed using abundant, renewable, locally sourced wood fiber feedstock reduces dependence on a constrained supply chain.
G-Beams
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tub-girders called GBeams that are corrosion resistant and designed to last over 100 years with little to no maintenance. The composite girders are lightweight, weighing as little as one-quarter the weight of steel girders.
SM²ART
The Hub & Spoke Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Alliance for Renewable Technologies (SM²ART): Connecting two world-class research facilities and redefining how national laboratories and universities connect with industry
Scaling Manufacturing
Empowering manufacturers to reach new markets with lightweight, anti-corrosive, and infinitely shapeable parts through continuous production of long-fiber thermoplastic composite.
TIDC
The Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center focus is on developing innovative, sustainable, next-generation solutions to improve the durability and extend the lifespan of existing and new transportation assets in New England and beyond.
BioHome 3D
Designed to address labor shortages and supply chain issues that are driving high costs and constricting the supply of affordable housing. Printed using abundant, renewable, locally sourced wood fiber feedstock reduces dependence on a constrained supply chain.
G-Beams
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tub-girders called GBeams that are corrosion resistant and designed to last over 100 years with little to no maintenance. The composite girders are lightweight, weighing as little as one-quarter the weight of steel girders.
Culvert Diffusers
ASCC’s work focuses on implementing green infrastructure solutions, utilizing bio-based materials and sustainable manufacturing processes like advanced manufacturing for culvert diffusers, composite sheet piling and novel breakwater solutions.
We’re Hiring!
We are looking for people who challenge the impossible, push limits, seek meaningful work, and want to drive our Green Energy and Materials strategic plan.
JOIN US
About
ABOUT
Commitment To Maine
The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) is a world-leading, interdisciplinary center for research, education, and economic development encompassing material sciences, advanced manufacturing, and engineering of composites and structures. Since its founding in 1996 with support from the National Science Foundation, the ASCC has financially sponsored more than 2,600 students, received 120 patents, welcomed over 30,000 visitors, created 14 spinoff companies, and honored with more than 40 national and international awards for research excellence.
Housed in a 100,000 ft2 ISO-17025 accredited facility, the ASCC has become the largest university-based research center in Maine and among the fastest-growing research laboratories globally. The facility has expanded to include 13 integrated laboratories with more than 410 full and part-time personnel, including faculty, staff, and students. The Center pursues innovations that are meaningful to society by bringing together talented faculty, staff, and students from all corners of the UMaine campus. Enshrined in plaques in the Center’s lobby and conference rooms, the mottos “None of us is as smart as all of us” and “Students first” define our mode of operations.
Our eight major research areas are Civil Infrastructure Durability, Advanced Wood Composites, Large-scale Bio-based Additive Manufacturing, Cellulose Nanocomposites, Advanced Structural Concepts, Structural Thermoplastics & Smart Materials, Ocean Engineering & Energy, and Structural, Material, & Wind Blade Testing. Innovations in GEM research and development position the Center to critically support the state’s ambitious efforts to be carbon neutral by 2045 and usher in a low-carbon economy.
IAS Accreditation
The UMaine Composites Center is an ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratory with nearly 20 years of testing experience meeting industry standards from coupon-scale to full-scale. This certifies that we have met the requirements of the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Testing Laboratories (AC89), demonstrated compliance with ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2005, and general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and are accredited for the test methods listed in the approved scope of accreditation.
Meet our Executive Director
Dr. Habib Dagher, P.E.
Dr. Dagher is the founding Executive Director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). Under his leadership, the Center has grown from four to over 410 personnel and is now housed in a 100,000 ft2 laboratory, the largest university-based research center in Maine. Dr. Dagher is a world-leading advocate for developing sustainable infrastructure and energy systems that simultaneously optimize structures, materials, manufacturing, construction, and maintenance.
Meet our Executive Director
Dr. Habib Dagher, P.E.
Dr. Dagher is the founding Executive Director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). Under his leadership, the Center has grown from four to over 410 personnel and is now housed in a 100,000 ft2 laboratory, the largest university-based research center in Maine. Dr. Dagher is a world-leading advocate for developing sustainable infrastructure and energy systems that simultaneously optimize structures, materials, manufacturing, construction, and maintenance.
Industry Partners
The ASCC has a highly diverse list of industrial clients on state, national, and international levels – ranging from small, start-up companies to large, Fortune 500 corporations. Our capacity for industrial cooperation has led to more than 500 product development and testing projects, along with leading awards for innovation in the composite materials and civil engineering fields.
Additionally, the Center has participated in the formation of 15 spinoff companies through licensing agreements of patents or trade secrets. We’ve partnered with companies throughout the world.
News & Events
Upcoming Events
More Info Coming Soon!
May 9th, 2025 – Orono, Maine
August 6th-7th, 2025 – Orono, Maine
Upcoming Events
TBD, 2025 – Orono, Maine
